THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

2818

THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO THE MINIMUM WAGE.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 


     SECTION 1.  (a)  The department of business, economic development, and tourism shall conduct a comprehensive study on the effect on businesses of increasing the minimum wage in Hawaii.  The study shall utilize both quantitative and qualitative analysis and research methods.  The study shall examine:

     (1)  The effect that increasing the minimum wage would have on:

          (A)  Hawaii based small business operating costs;

          (B)  Business operations and human resources, including the impact on employee benefits, workers' compensation, retirement benefits, and medical coverage;

          (C)  Prices of locally produced agricultural products and other commodities in the State, and the effect on the State's agriculture industry as a whole;

          (D)  Imports and exports; and

          (E)  The competitive landscape for small businesses, particularly against large corporations;

     (2)  The variance in economic effects, if any, that increasing the minimum wage would have on businesses depending on their size, type, and geographic location; and

     (3)  The types of support measures that would be effective, and that small business owners find beneficial, in mitigating any negative effects of increasing the minimum wage.

     (b)  The department of business, economic development, and tourism shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2025.

     SECTION 2.  In accordance with section 9 of article VII, of the Constitution of the State of Hawaii and sections 37-91 and 37-93, Hawaii Revised Statutes, the legislature has determined that the appropriation contained in this Act will cause the state general fund expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2024-2025 to be exceeded by $        , or     per cent.  The reasons for exceeding the general fund expenditure ceiling are that the appropriation made in this Act is necessary to serve the public interest and to meet the need provided for by this Act.

     SECTION 3.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $         or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2024-2025 for the purposes of this Act.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of business, economic development, and tourism for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2024.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

 

 


 


 


 

Report Title:

DBEDT; Minimum Wage; Small Businesses; Study; Appropriation

 

Description:

Requires the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to conduct a study on the effect on businesses of increasing the minimum wage.  Declares that the general fund expenditure ceiling will be exceeded.  Appropriates moneys.

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.